Your iPhone is now a Kindle

[modeps]

Don't feel like spending the $359.00 Amazon wants to charge you for a Kindle? Now you can just download a free app for your iPhone and buy books that way, for view on your iPhone. Sure, the screen isn't exactly as great for reading tons of text on, and its a bit smaller, but at least you don't have to fork over the scratch. Consumer Reports (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/03/turn-your-iphone-into-a-kindle-ebook-reader.html?EXTKEY=I91ECON&CMP=OTC-ConsumeristLinks&ea) (from The Consumerist (http://consumerist.com/5164946/?ea)):

Less than a month after the debut of its much-anticipated Amazon Kindle2 e-book reader, Amazon opened its formidable e-book library to a much larger potential audience: Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users. By downloading a free app from the Apple App Store, you can use those devices as a Kindle-like reader that can download any title from Amazon's 240,000 e-book library, typically for $3 to $12 each. (Newspapers, magazines and blogs currently can't be downloaded, though there are indications this may change at some point.)

While the 3-inch iPhone/Touch screens are only half the size of a Kindle's, they're sharp and back-lighted (a feature the Kindle lacks), handy when it's dark and a reading lamp isn't an option. The multifunctional Apple devices are also easier on the pocket in two respects. You can enjoy e-books on the go without spending $360 to buy the Kindle or toting an extra device that weighs 10.2 ounces and measures 8 x 5.3 in. x 0.36 inches.

I don't have an iPhone.

[vallor]

I really like my iPhone; Kindle functionality is just more icing.

[drakkarim]

I don't have an iPhone.

ditto, maybe one of these years when i finally dump the landline and buy a cellphone...

[derjester]

Been using it since yesterday and it's probably the best reader for iphone I've ever used. Page turns are smooth and it automatically knows where you left off. There's also a metric buttload of free books available through Kindle. Why pay for the "classics" app when you can get kindle and every damn classic you could ever want for free?

[DeuceMojo]

I don't have an iPhone.Because it's a fad.

[privatedonut21]

Because it's a fad.
Call it what you want but it is an amazing phone. I'm not a big fan of the stigma that goes with owning one but I love my iPhone.

More on topic, Kindle is great for the iPhone but there is already another app called Stanza that does much the same thing and brings you a lot more free books, while still offering most of the same paid ones. However, neither has everything, so I keep both on my phone for different things.

[Greeble]

This development has made the iPhone more attractive to me, but wouldn't this kill the battery on your iPhone due to the backlight constantly in use? (Can you turn off the backlight? Is the screen still easy to read without it?) I'd like a real kindle they are just way to expensive right now.

[Rirath]

Been using it since yesterday and it's probably the best reader for iphone I've ever used. Page turns are smooth and it automatically knows where you left off. There's also a metric buttload of free books available through Kindle. Why pay for the "classics" app when you can get kindle and every damn classic you could ever want for free?

You make a good point -- I hadn't thought about looking for free classics through the Kindle app. I'll have to try that later. Glad you like the app, somehow I was expecting Amazon to gimp it in order to sell their device.

I've always thought Amazon is a little crazy for charging $360 for an e-book reader that's 1) huge, 2) clunky in design, and 3) acting like e-books are 'new' technology. The only good point I can make for it and that sounds awesome is the free 3G browsing of Wikipedia.

[drakkarim]

Because it's a fad.

what in life isn't though? :)

[AlmostSente]

Have both iphone and a kindle. Reading books on my phone would drain it quickly though so I would say this is more of a novelty than anything else really.

[Chrome Dome]

Because it's a fad.

I wasn't willing to pay an extra $40 a month for a data plan, iphone, blackberry, or what have you. I don't need to surf the web on a screen that small. I did however pick up an ipod touch (my first ipod actually) and it is amazing. I love that thing. I rarely use it as a MP3 player but I've completely replaced my palm PDA with the touch.
This is a great add on since the other ereader for the ipod/iphone (Stanza) charged full book prices for an electronic book. I think I've bought my last book through stanza.

[Chrome Dome]

No idea about the iphone but I've read for hours with the ipod touch and never had my battery die. Although if you read all day, it does come pretty close.

[Metal Jesus]

The App Store is what makes the iPhone/iTouch simply amazing. Truly revolutionary.

[DeuceMojo]

The question is not: am I jealous? Because I am somewhat jealous.

The question is: should I be?

[AlmostSente]

Humm, well my iphone battery drains pretty quickly. Anywhoo the big thing for me is the backlit screen giving me a headache if I read off it for too long. The Kindle is much easier on my eyes.

[Pitpig]

My wife and I were already planning on picking up iPhones soon. The added ability to read books on it is not appealing, though.

[Isamura]

Humm, well my iphone battery drains pretty quickly. Anywhoo the big thing for me is the backlit screen giving me a headache if I read off it for too long. The Kindle is much easier on my eyes.

Make sure you have your 3g off as well as location services, these will drain the battery very quickly.

Love my iPhone, but doubt I'll get this, since reading books on a tiny backlit screen does not sound appealing. There are however tons of apps which are great, and make the iPhone the best phone on the market.

[zeonxavier]

While I think the iPhone is a pretty slick bit of technology, it tends to have limited battery life when used for things other than talking to people. I'll hold off until it gets a better battery and becomes available on more networks than AT&T.

That said, I would love to see a small tablet PC, organizer or phone utilizing the same kind of electronic ink screen as the eBook readers at an affordable price. I do love my books, and the thought of having my whole library in my pocket is very appealing.

[pwnophobia]

My iPod touch is absolutely amazing. The app store has a ton of great games (and talent!) and other applications that I use DAY to DAY. I'm simply in awe at how well it handles everything from music to web surfing.

If I cared about Kindle I'd be even more excited.

[Virtuoso]

The title should be

"Your iPhone is the shitty version of the Kindle no one would buy if thats all it did."

[realdeal]

well i for one do like the kindle it looks so awesome and i feel it is worth the money

i cant say if other people agree with me or not though but i saw some of the features and was really excited by it i dont mean to upset anybody though cheers

http://photosnag.com/img/3012/y09w0131xdtc/82(2).gif

[GraveMatter]

I just bought my first book for my iTouch and think this is the greatest thing ever. Does the Kindle have a backlit display? Just wondering.... I don't think I could justify spending 300+ on a Kindle if I couldn't read it in darker areas because my eyes are shot.

[modeps]

I just bought my first book for my iTouch and think this is the greatest thing ever. Does the Kindle have a backlit display? Just wondering.... I don't think I could justify spending 300+ on a Kindle if I couldn't read it in darker areas because my eyes are shot.

No, it doesnt have a backlight... that's actually a good thing. Backlighting increases eye fatigue.

[GraveMatter]

No, it doesnt have a backlight... that's actually a good thing. Backlighting increases eye fatigue.

That may be, but without it, I'm unable to read stuff on any kind of display with very little ambient light. Having the iTouch's backlight makes it a great little eBook reader for me. Thanks for the info though!!

[cjrizzo]

I have both the Kindle 2 and an iPhone. Without a doubt, the Kindle 2 is the real deal as I have been tearing through books on it. Having Kindle for iPhone is a pure novelty - I cannot stand long-term reading on that screen. It's a great phone and many apps are good, but the screen is too hard on the eyes to do a lot of reading on it.

If you like books and read a lot, buy a Kindle. You will definitely find it to be a very good device.

[GraveMatter]

I showed my wife the Kindle 2 website last night and she immediately fell in love with it. I woke up this morning and she told me she ordered one and hsould be here next week. So, now the only problem is that we'll probably be fighting over who gets to use it...

[lalitearns]

Don't feel like spending the $359.00 Amazon wants to charge you for a Kindle? Now you can just download a free app for your iPhone and buy books that way, for view on your iPhone. Sure, the screen isn't exactly as great for reading tons of text on, and its a bit smaller, but at least you don't have to fork over the scratch. Consumer Reports (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/03/turn-your-iphone-into-a-kindle-ebook-reader.html?EXTKEY=I91ECON&CMP=OTC-ConsumeristLinks&ea) (from The Consumerist (http://consumerist.com/5164946/?ea)):



I don't have an iPhone.

i dont think you can even compare the kindle 2 to iphone, kindle is much better for reading, so its pointless

http://photosnag.com/img/3147/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif